Looking at buying a 03 V40 85k.
 

Hi, I just found this car today and it is really clean. The color is silver and it has tan leather interior. It is a 1 owner with 85k miles on it. The owner looks to have taken really good care of it. All maintenance done except for the timing belt, and from what I am reading it will need to be done soon. He is asking 6500 for it but I have him down to 5300. I just wanted yalls opinion on it. Is is a good deal? Also what should I look for when I drive it tonight??

Thanks

Common, help a guy out.

Hi. Ive owned my 2002 V40 ex japan import into NZ for just over 1 year and am overall very happy with it. Maintenance history is not available with used imports from Japan so there is an element of luck.
You should do the timing belt given its 10 years old for sure even though a fairly low mileage.
Check the color of the transmission fluid and test drive hot for an idea of smooth gear changes.
I have had to renew my front brake hoses which were splitting at the connections to the main brake lines, apparently common and as the hoses are not excessively long one can see why when steering is onto full lock.
Check function of the air- con as they play up. often the fan speeds alter at will if faulty and a new ECC or fan relay required.
If you can get it done , have a fault code reader hooked up as it may pick up other issues, some maybe less critical but handy to know up front.
i.e. ABS, SRS airbag issues, o2 sensors etc.
Check all the electrics for correct function. Electrics are often a problem with Volvos.
Lovely cars to drive when going properly, comfortable and quite responsive for 1948cc with the turbo.

Hope it all checks out ok for you.
If she has been well maintained most should be straightforward.
It is also true that they are a bit hungry on headlight bulbs too, by the way.

Good Luck. :)

Thanks for the info. I will be sure to check all this stuff.

v40
 

Original owner of a 2000 v40...just turned 90k a few weeks ago....Ive done all the maint required at the dealer until the warranty elapsed.
Since the car has been out of warranty Ive gone to my local independent volvo shop.
Minimal problems with this car, maint is key to any vehicle.
Drove to aspen colo last summer averaging 75mph with the ac on most of the way....zero problems.

He did say it had one issue with the AC. He said that sometimes when it is on Auto that it seems to act funny. Like the AC starts to cycle on and off. But when you manually have the AC going it is fine. Is this a common issue??